diff --git a/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/MainActivity.kt b/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/MainActivity.kt
index 98b046a..336edd9 100644
--- a/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/MainActivity.kt
+++ b/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/MainActivity.kt
@@ -5,12 +5,15 @@ package com.tailscale.ipn
 
 import android.annotation.SuppressLint
 import android.app.Activity
+import android.app.AlertDialog
 import android.content.Context
 import android.content.Intent
 import android.content.RestrictionsManager
 import android.content.pm.ActivityInfo
 import android.content.res.Configuration.SCREENLAYOUT_SIZE_LARGE
 import android.content.res.Configuration.SCREENLAYOUT_SIZE_MASK
+import android.net.ConnectivityManager
+import android.net.NetworkCapabilities
 import android.os.Bundle
 import android.provider.Settings
 import android.util.Log
@@ -129,8 +132,13 @@ class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
             vpnViewModel.setVpnPrepared(true)
             App.get().startVPN()
           } else {
-            Log.d("VpnPermission", "VPN permission denied")
-            vpnViewModel.setVpnPrepared(false)
+            if (isAnotherVpnActive(this)) {
+              Log.d("VpnPermission", "Another VPN is likely active")
+              showOtherVPNConflictDialog()
+            } else {
+              Log.d("VpnPermission", "Permission was denied by the user")
+              viewModel.setVpnPrepared(false)
+            }
           }
         }
     viewModel.setVpnPermissionLauncher(vpnPermissionLauncher)
@@ -285,6 +293,34 @@ class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
     lifecycleScope.launch { Notifier.loginFinished.collect { _ -> loginQRCode.set(null) } }
   }
 
+  private fun showOtherVPNConflictDialog() {
+    AlertDialog.Builder(this)
+        .setTitle(R.string.vpn_permission_denied)
+        .setMessage(R.string.multiple_vpn_explainer)
+        .setPositiveButton(R.string.go_to_settings) { _, _ ->
+          // Intent to open the VPN settings
+          val intent = Intent(Settings.ACTION_VPN_SETTINGS)
+          startActivity(intent)
+        }
+        .setNegativeButton(R.string.cancel, null)
+        .show()
+  }
+
+  fun isAnotherVpnActive(context: Context): Boolean {
+    val connectivityManager =
+        context.getSystemService(Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE) as ConnectivityManager
+
+    val activeNetwork = connectivityManager.activeNetwork
+    if (activeNetwork != null) {
+      val networkCapabilities = connectivityManager.getNetworkCapabilities(activeNetwork)
+      if (networkCapabilities != null &&
+          networkCapabilities.hasTransport(NetworkCapabilities.TRANSPORT_VPN)) {
+        return true
+      }
+    }
+    return false
+  }
+
   // Returns true if we should render a QR code instead of launching a browser
   // for login requests
   private fun useQRCodeLogin(): Boolean {
diff --git a/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/ui/viewModel/MainViewModel.kt b/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/ui/viewModel/MainViewModel.kt
index 8bf07c0..e583c1a 100644
--- a/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/ui/viewModel/MainViewModel.kt
+++ b/android/src/main/java/com/tailscale/ipn/ui/viewModel/MainViewModel.kt
@@ -100,8 +100,10 @@ class MainViewModel(private val vpnViewModel: VpnViewModel) : IpnViewModel() {
 
             val isOn =
                 when {
-                  currentState == State.Running || currentState == State.Starting -> true
-                  previousState == State.NoState && currentState == State.Starting -> true
+                  prepared && currentState == State.Running || currentState == State.Starting ->
+                      true
+                  previousState == State.NoState && currentState == State.Starting ->
+                      true
                   else -> false
                 }
 
@@ -182,7 +184,7 @@ private fun userStringRes(currentState: State?, previousState: State?, vpnPrepar
     currentState == State.NeedsMachineAuth -> R.string.needs_machine_auth
     currentState == State.Stopped -> R.string.stopped
     currentState == State.Starting -> R.string.starting
-    currentState == State.Running -> R.string.connected
+    currentState == State.Running -> if (vpnPrepared) R.string.connected else R.string.placeholder
     else -> R.string.placeholder
   }
 }
diff --git a/android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 1f9a033..6d79df3 100644
--- a/android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -292,4 +292,11 @@
     <string name="health_warnings">Health warnings</string>
     <string name="no_issues_found">No issues found</string>
     <string name="tailscale_is_operating_normally">Tailscale is operating normally.</string>
+
+    <!-- Strings for the multiple VPNs dialog -->
+    <string name="vpn_permission_denied">VPN permission denied</string>
+    <string name="multiple_vpn_explainer">Only one VPN can be active, and it appears another is already running. Before starting Tailscale, disable the other VPN.</string>
+    <string name="go_to_settings">Go to Settings</string>
+    <string name="cancel">Cancel</string>
+
 </resources>